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1 1 Old Castle Tourist Information Centre 6 Defensive Trench and Drawbridge ABOUT THE COUNTS OF CILLI 2 Veronika Café 7 Tower above Pelikan’s Trail 3 Eastern Inner Ward 8 Gothic Palatium The Counts of Cilli dynasty dates back Sigismund of Luxembourg. As the oldest 4 Frederick’s Tower (panoramic point) 9 Romanesque Palatium to the Lords of Sanneck (Žovnek) from son of Count Hermann II of Cilli, Frederick 5 Central Courtyard with a Well 10 Viewing platform the Sanneck (Žovnek) Castle in the II of Cilli was the heir apparent. In the Lower Savinja Valley. After the Counts of history of the dynasty, he is known for his Heunburg died out, they inherited their tragic love story with Veronika of Desenice. estate including Old Castle Celje. Frederick, His politically ambitious father married

10 9 Lord of Sanneck, moved to Celje with him off to Elizabeth of Frankopan, with 7 his family and modernised and fortified whom Frederick was not happy. When his the castle to serve as a more comfortable wife was found murdered, he was finally 8 residence. Soon after, in 1341, he was free to marry his beloved but thus tainted 4 10 elevated to Count of Celje, which marks the the reputation of the whole dynasty. He beginning of the Counts of Cilli dynasty. was consequently punished by his father, 5 6 The present-day coat-of-arms of the city who had him imprisoned in a 23-metre of Celje – three golden stars on a blue high defence tower and had Veronika background – also dates back to that period. assassinated but later had to free him as his 3 The dynasty experienced its greatest successor. The dynasty thus continued to 2 rise during the reign of Count Hermann gain social, economic and political power II of Cilli. In the quest to free himself until the Counts of Cilli were elevated to the The Middle Ages, when the present-day wc from the supremacy of the Habsburgs, rank of Princes of the Holy Roman Empire. i 1 city of Celje was transformed into a market Count Hermann II of Cilli established an The ensuing dispute with the Habsburgs was settlement, marks a turning point in the alliance with the ambitious Sigismund of resolved by a peace treaty and an agreement history of the city, which flourished during Luxembourg, King of Hungary, whose life of mutual inheritance on the basis of which the reign of the Counts of Cilli after being he saved during the the Habsburgs inherited all the estates granted city rights in 1451. against the . previously held by the Counts of Cilli in the Old Castle Celje was originally owned by rampart with small towers, outbuildings As a reward, Sigismund subsequently Holy Roman Empire when the male line of the Carinthian Counts of Heunberg, who and military facilities, wide defensive married Count Hermann's youngest the Counts of Cilli died out in 1456 when erected the building during the 2nd half of trenches and a new access to the central daughter Barbara of Cilli, who thus became Count Ulrich II of Cilli was assassinated. the 12th century. Compared to the present part of the castle. Even though the castle the Queen of Hungary and, later on, also day, the castle was much smaller and was extremely well and strongly secured, the Queen of Germany and Bohemia by encompassed only a Romanesque palatium, the final part of the rampart was added at marriage. Because of her free thinking, an enclosed courtyard and an exterior the beginning of the 16th century, turning it religious tolerance and especially her rampart, secured by a defence passageway into one of the mightiest fortresses of the interest in alchemy and astrology, emotions LEGEND: on the top, a characteristic of other castles time. ran high even long after she died. Her of the time. During its final development phase, the granddaughter Elisabeth of Habsburg After the Counts of Heunberg died out, medieval castle was transformed into a married the King of Poland with whom About the the castle was inherited by the Counts of Renaissance fortress that would provide she had 13 children, out of which 10 Black Raven Sanneck, who were to be elevated to the shelter to the locals in times of danger. survived. Before Count Ulrich set out to participate in rank of the Counts of Celje soon after During the 18th century, the castle was During the reign of the most a battle, a lady-in-waiting saw a black raven, their move to Celje. The Counts undertook abandoned and stones from which it had powerful and influential warning him that he should not leave home as the transformation of the castle into been constructed were used for other representative of the Counts of a black raven was considered bad luck. Ulrich, a comfortable residence. The exterior buildings erected nearby. Cilli dynasty, Count Hermann II however, ignored her and set out anyway. rampart was built into a Gothic palatium Since its renovation, the castle has turned of Cilli, the dynasty was involved While fighting in , he saw the same that served as a residential part of the into an attractive tourist point. Visitors in the top-level European political raven. While observing it, he was stabbed by castle. The Counts also erected an almost can avail of the state-of-the-art Tourist scene and established alliances with one of his enemy’s troops. This is how Ulrich 23-metre high defence tower on a nearby Information Centre and the Veronika Café. the most significant noble families of met his demise. hill that was subsequently referred to as The largest medieval castle in by the time. In 1436, two representatives Frederick’s Tower. During subsequent surface area acts as a wonderful setting of the Counts of Cilli, Frederick II and phases of development of the building, the for weddings and numerous events and Ulrich II of Cilli, were elevated to the rank castle complex was expanded by an exterior concerts held during summer. of Princes of the Holy Roman Empire by

1 2 3 TAKE A STROLL 3 AROUND THE CASTLE Eastern Inner Ward Discover hidden parts The Eastern Inner Ward serves of the castle, feel the as a venue for the Living History power of history and programme held between April experience the life and October that provides castle of one of the most visitors with the opportunity to powerful European form part of “living” history and families of the Late to engage in fencing, archery or Middle Ages. Guided creative medieval workshops in by 11 information an authentic environment. boards along the castle 1 complex, you will be able to discover the castle and unveil its Old Castle Celje Tourist Information Centre history on your own. Enter the castle through the Tourist Information Centre, whose premises are located next to the former watchtower. At the Tourist Information Centre, you can purchase tickets and souvenirs and be provided with basic information about Celje and the castle. You can also visit the permanent Celje Regional Museum Counts of Cilli exhibition entitled “Counts of Cilli Today and Never Again”, located in the parti-wall.

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Frederick’s Tower – panoramic point The tower takes its name from Count Frederick II of Cilli, son of the most LEGEND: powerful and influential representative of the Counts of Cilli dynasty, Count How Frederick Hermann II of Cilli. Erected in the 14th century, it is 23 metres Survived His Incarceration high, and its walls are 3 metres One night, the son of the mighty Count Hermann II of thick. A darkroom was set up Cilli, Frederick II, had his first and legal wife, Elizabeth 2 in its first floor, above which of Frankopan, assassinated and then he secretly married weapon and other military Veronika of Desenice against his father’s wishes. As a equipment storage facilities result, Count Hermann II of Cilli had his son imprisoned were located. In its original in the main tower of the castle and Veronika of Desenice Veronika Café form, a defence passageway drowned. According to the legend, Frederick II, who was At the Veronika Café, you can avail of its castle ran around the entire top heading towards certain death, was saved by a loyal shield drinks and desserts and a Frederick’s Tower-shaped floor of the tower. bearer who excavated a subterranean passage through playground for children. This is where Frederick II was which he would bring Frederick II food. It is said that this held captive after marrying his passage could still be seen during the previous century and beloved Veronika of Desenice was sufficiently wide to be used by an adult man. against his father’s wishes.

4 5 LEGEND: About the Fate of the Castle’s Well 5 One night, a farmer arrived to the castle to convey an important piece Central Courtyard with a Well of news to its owner. As he reached During the reign of the Counts of the courtyard, he suddenly heard Cilli, this part of the castle contained a voice saying:”Where is my land, significant outbuildings and military where is my castle, who am I?” As the facilities. Wall remnants indicate the farmer approached the well, he saw location of the former forge and stables. Count Ulrich waist-deep in water and Nowadays, the Central Courtyard is wounded all over his body. Since then, also the main venue of events held at the nobody else has dared to collect water castle during summer, open-air concerts from the well, which has been walled in. and performances that reach their peak with the two-day medieval event held at the end of 7 August. Tower above Pelikan’s Trail On the northern part of the defensive trench, you will 6 find a small gate that marks the finishing point of Pelikan’s Trail, named after the well- known 20th century photographer from Celje Josip Pelikan whose LEGEND: photography studio you can visit in the city centre. About the Old Castle Treasure Above the entrance to the More than a century ago, the castle was inhabited by a poor but brave Defensive Trench and defensive trench, there day labourer. On his way home one night, he noticed a man with a Drawbridge is a three-storey tower cart close to the castle gate. Approaching him, he noticed a strange, During the 15th century, the called the “Tower tall individual with broad shoulders wearing a tall wide brim hat. existing natural trench was above Pelikan’s “What is on your cart and where are you headed? Unless you tell me, deepened and transformed Trail”, which was I will push you down the hill so that you know who you are dealing into a defensive trench that erected at the with!” The other man did not answer. The day labourer grabbed his provided additional security beginning of 16th hand, which was, however, very unusual, being made of wash leather to the area of the castle century, i.e. after and stuffed with hay. Oh, the poor day labourer! Swiftly releasing inhabited by the Counts the Counts of the other man’s hand, he ran to fetch a man sleeping in a nearby hut of Cilli. The deepening and Cilli dynasty had to take him with him. But as soon as the day labourer left, the cart driver brandished his whip powerfully, as if thunder had struck. transformation of the trench already died out. When the day labourer returned with the man from the hut, the cart also required a transformation The tower now driver could no longer be found even though they looked everywhere. of the access to the central serves as a periodic exhibition area. What had the man been carrying on his cart? Money belonging to the part of the castle. The original Counts of Cilli. According to the legend, the day labourer should have trail was replaced by a new held that man’s hand until the clock struck midnight, as he would entry gate with a drawbridge. then have gotten to keep it all. But he was too late. 6 7 8 Gothic Palatium The original castle was much smaller than the present-day building. The exterior castle rampart was located where now the remnants of the Gothic Palatium can be found. During the 14th century, when the Counts of Cilli undertook restoration of the castle to transform it into a more comfortable residence, the exterior rampart was transformed into a living quarter and a four-storey Gothic Palatium was constructed. The upper floors contained heated living quarters, while the lower floors were intended for storage and other useful purposes. 10 Viewing platform The viewing platform marks a point from where the best view of the city of Celje opens up. The Savinja River, which flows through Celje, was formed almost two millennia ago and served as an important transport rafting route towards the south during the Middle Ages. Against the backdrop of the river, you will find the church of the patron saint of rafters, St. Nicholas’ Church, which was erected during the Counts of Cilli era. In the past, rafters would say special prayers for a safe LEGEND: journey ahead. To the extreme west, you can find the About the Bridge Kamnik-Savinja Alps. 9 between Old Castle Celje Romanesque Palatium and St. Nicholas’ Hill According to the legend, Old Castle Celje on the left The Romanesque Palatium constitutes the oldest part of the castle. bank of Savinja River and St. Nicholas’ Hill across from In the past, it was composed of several floors. The upper floors were it, which contains the small St. Nicholas’ Church, were intended for living quarters, while the lower floors contained premises connected by a leather bridge during the Counts of intended for various uses and storage. Its interior also contained an th Cilli era. A mere century ago, some people were able to enclosed courtyard with a water tank. During an earthquake in the 16 indicate the location of the ring built into the rock that century, the palatium was demolished and a new one was built on its had once served to secure the bridge in place. foundations. Today, the Romanesque Palatium contains a multi-purpose hall used for various events, including weddings. 8 9 LIVING HISTORY April–October Knights, princesses and other entertainers take visitors back in time to the Middle Ages where they can engage in fencing or archery and become familiar with a knight camp, an armoury and medieval lifestyle in an authentic environment. CASTLE EVENTS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

During the summer, numerous events, concerts and theatre SUMMER IN CELJE EVENTS THE LAND OF CELJE INVITES … performances that remain MEDIEVAL EVENT – A diverse programme of events at the last weekend in August etched in the memory of central castle courtyard. the audience are held in the A two-day medieval event that brings the unique environment of the traditions of medieval lifestyle back to life castle.

10 11 MEDIEVAL FEAST: try out castle cuisine and pamper your senses with medieval recipes GUIDED TOURS: guided tours are customised to various age groups and are carried out subject to prior CASTLE OFFER arrangement with the Celje Tourist Information Centre

WEDDINGS: traditional or castle wedding at various venues in the castle

AUDIENCE WITH A COUNT: experience a meeting with Count Hermann II or Barbara of Cilli and their staff

RENT THE CASTLE: you can either rent the entire castle or a specific part thereof

For more information about the programmes and castle rental, KNIGHTING: please contact Institution for become a Knight of Cilli Cultural Events and Tourism Celeia Celje: and experience an unforgettable Tel.: 00386 3 428 79 30 and knighting ceremony at the castle 00386 3 428 79 32 and [email protected] 12 13 USEFUL INFORMATION

Opening hours Old Castle Celje is open all-year round!

Jan 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM PARKING: Feb 09:00 AM – 5:00 PM Mar 09:00 AM – 6:00 PM You can park in front of the Apr 09:00 AM – 7:00 PM Old Castle entrance. The May 09:00 AM – 8:00 PM parking area can also be Jun 09:00 AM – 9:00 PM used by buses and caravans. Jul 09:00 AM – 9:00 PM Aug 09:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sept 09:00 AM – 8:00 PM Oct 09:00 AM – 6:00 PM Nov 09:00 AM – 5:00 PM ACCESS FOR Dec 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM DISABLED VISITORS: Last admission half an hour Access and washrooms for before closing time. disabled visitors provided.

HOW TO FIND US GPS Northing (N) : 46,2199, GPS Easting (E) : 15,2712

Take the A1 Motorway to The Celje Railway Station Jože Pučnik Airport Celje. If travelling from has good international and www.lju-airport.si, Ljubljana or Maribor: national connections. For distance: exit the motorway at the further information, please 99 km, 1h 10 min “Celje – Center” exit, turn visit www.slo-zeleznice.si. Connections with towards the city centre and Take a taxi from the taxi other airports: follow the signs for “Stari rank in front of it or take a Graz (113 km, 1 h 20 min), grad Celje”. walk along the local road to Zagreb (116 km, 1 h 37 min), the castle. Klagenfurt (145 km, 2 h), Trieste (202 km, 2 h 8 min).

14 15 ACCOMMODATION IN CELJE NOT TO BE MISSED

HOTELS: YOUTH HOSTELS:

HOTEL EVROPA**** HOTEL GRANDE*** superior MCC HOSTEL – The House of Legends

ROMAN CELEIA (Celeia – a town beneath today’s town, Krekov trg 4, 3000 Celje Bežigrajska 7, 3000 Celje Mariborska 2, 3000 Celje www.pokmuz-ce.si) T: +386 3 426 90 00, T: +386 3 425 51 00, T: +386 3 490 87 40, E: [email protected], E: [email protected], +386 40 756 009, www.hotel-evropa.si www.hotelgrande.si E: [email protected], www.hostel-celje.si CHILDREN’S MUSEUM (Herman’s Den, www.muzej-nz-ce.si) HOTEL CELEIA*** HOTEL CELJSKA KOČA*** GEORGES HOSTEL

THE GREEN OASIS (Lake Šmartinsko jezero, www.smartinsko-jezero.com) Mariborska 3, 3000 Celje Pečovnik 31, 3000 Celje Aškerčeva 3, 3000 Celje T: +386 (0)3 426 97 00, T: +386 59 070 400, T: +386 41 329 179, E: [email protected], +386 41 718 274, E: [email protected], www.hotel-celeia.si E: [email protected], www.hostelworld.com/hosteldeta- www.celjska-koca.si ils.php/Georges-Hostel/Celje/80146 HOTEL FARAON***

ADRENALINE ADVENTURE (Celjska Koča Adventure Park, GUESTHOUSE: CAMPSITE: www.celjska-koca.si)

HOCHKRAUT GUESTHOUSE** AUTOCAMP CELJE*** HISTORIC CITY CENTRE

Brochure published by: Institution for Resources: Photographs courtesy of: Ljubljanska 39, 3000 Celje Cultural Events and Tourism Celeia Celje Aleš Stopar: Stari grad Institution for Cultural Events T: +386 3 428 71 00, On behalf of it: Milena Čeko Pungartnik, MA Celje, Starožitnosti: Vodniki and Tourism Celeia Celje archives, E: [email protected], Designed by: Studio Kindin Pokrajinskega muzeja Celje Celje Museum of Contemporary www.hotel-faraon.si Translated by: EURO-lingua.translations 2,Celje Regional Museum, 2006 History – Sherpa archives, Printed by: Tisk Žnidarič d.o.o. Rolanda Fugger Germadnik: Celjska koča (Celje Hut) archives, Year: 2015 K zvezdam in nazaj, ob Hotel Evropa archives, Hotel 550-letnici smrti Celeia archives, MCC Hostel 2, 3000 Celje 37a, 3211 Škofja vas poslednjegagrofa Celjskega, archives, Georges Hostel archives, T: +386 3 427 91 00, T: +386 41 726 516, Starožitnosti: Vodniki Hochkraut Inn archives, Celje Car +386 3 427 91 04 E: [email protected], Pokrajinskega muzeja Celje 1, Camp archives, Matjaž Jambriško, E: [email protected], www.camping-celje.com Celje Regional Museum, 2006 Gregor Katič, Mija Koprivc, Branko www.hochkraut.com GPS coordinates: 46º 15’ 46,12’’ / Blaž Lesjak, Bojan Plevčak - City 15º 17’ 54,61’’ Municipality of Celje archives

16 17 OLD CASTLE CELJE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Cesta na grad 78, 3000 Celje, Slovenia T: 00386 3 544 36 90 E: [email protected] www.grad-celje.com FB: Stari grad Celje (Old Castle Celje)

CELJE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE Krekov trg 3, 3000 Celje, Slovenia T: 00386 3 428 79 36, 00386 3 492 50 81 E: [email protected] www.celje.si FB: V Celju smo face (Celje is cool)

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